The Surprising Feud Behind Julie Andrews’ Polished Image

Few performers in the history of cinema have managed to maintain a reputation as spotless as Julie Andrews. Her name is often synonymous with grace and charm, and she’s widely regarded as a national treasure. Yet, even the most admired figures can find themselves at odds with colleagues, and in Andrews’ case, there was one particularly vocal detractor.

Richard Harris, known for his formidable talent and equally formidable temperament, stands out as the only co-star to have openly expressed his distaste for working alongside Andrews. Their collaboration on the 1966 film Hawaii was marked by tension, with Harris later making no secret of his feelings. While most of Andrews’ collaborators have spoken highly of her, Harris was quite the exception.

Clashing Personalities on Set

Andrews’ career in the years leading up to Hawaii had been nothing short of remarkable. She had starred in Mary Poppins, The Americanization of Emily, The Sound of Music, and Torn Curtain, collecting an Oscar and two Golden Globes along the way. Her performances were celebrated, and she had even worked with Alfred Hitchcock. It’s possible that this string of successes contributed to a certain perception on set, at least in Harris’ eyes.

Harris, never one to mince words, described his experience with Andrews in stark terms.

“I had rarely, if ever, experienced such hatred for a person.”

This was not an unusual sentiment for Harris, who had a reputation for being difficult and had clashed with other notable figures in the industry, including Kirk Douglas, Tom Cruise, and Michael Caine. Still, his animosity towards Andrews was particularly striking given her otherwise unblemished standing.

Behind the Scenes of Hawaii

According to Harris, the atmosphere during the production of Hawaii was far from harmonious. He accused Andrews of being aloof and unkind, stating,

“She was condescending and mean.”

Harris speculated that his own enjoyment on set may have irritated her, adding,

“She would say something, all quiet and conspiratorial, to the director, and I would shout, ‘Did you say something, Jules?’ Which just pissed her.”

Such remarks paint a picture of a working relationship fraught with friction. While Andrews’ public persona remained untarnished, Harris’ account suggests that not everyone found her as agreeable behind closed doors. His comments, though perhaps coloured by his own notoriously prickly nature, offer a rare glimpse into the less polished side of life on a major film set.

Reputation and Reality

It’s worth noting that Harris’ criticisms were very much the exception rather than the rule. Most who worked with Andrews have described her in glowing terms, and she has managed to avoid the scandals and controversies that often dog public figures. Even so, the fact that such a prominent actor held such strong negative feelings towards her is a reminder that even the most celebrated stars are not immune to professional discord.

For Andrews, Harris was the rare adversary in a career otherwise defined by admiration and respect. Their brief but memorable clash remains a curious footnote in the story of one of Britain’s most cherished screen icons.